Code of Meeting Practice

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This Code of Meeting Practice for Bathurst Regional Council is made under Section 360 of the Local Government Act 1993 and the Local Government Regulation 2021. The code applies to all meetings of Council and Council’s committees of which all the members are Councillors.

Council is seeking feedback on proposed alterations to the Code of Meeting Practice. A copy of the code can be downloaded from the document library.


A summary of proposed alterations, for which Council is seeking community feedback, is as follows:

1) That the Policy Meeting (clause 3) be removed from the regular schedule of meetings.

2) (a) Public Forum held prior to the Ordinary Meeting will be structured so that speakers at the Public Forum may speak on any topic relevant to Council operations. The forum is to be limited to 1 hour duration, but can be extended at the discretion of the Chairperson.

(b) Consideration has been given to live streaming the Public Forum. The proposal will be subject to further consideration, including legalities, costs and additional research.

(c) Currently speakers are allowed five minutes to address Council, with a one-minute warning sound at four minutes. It is proposed this will be altered to a four-minute speaking allowance, with a warning sound at three minutes.

(d) Regarding the Policy Meeting and the General Business section, discussion was held on what mechanisms could be utilised in the future. Inclusion of a session in the Ordinary Meeting has been initially assessed but would appear not to be appropriate. The Business paper Agenda must include details of all matters to be dealt with.

3) With respect to the Order of Business, a new statement of acknowledgement has been proposed. By way of example;

“We honour those who came before us – the First Australians, the settlers and convicts who built its foundations, the generations who shaped our towns and cities, the brave who fought to protect our freedom, and all who now call this country home. As we meet today, we do so in service to our community, and in the spirit of shared responsibility and respect.”

4) That all individual votes be recorded in the minutes of the meeting. The alteration would be at Clause 11 and would read as;

“All voting at Council meetings, (including meetings that are closed to the public), must be recorded in the minutes of meetings with the names of Councillors who voted for and against each motion or amendment (including the use of the casting vote), being recorded.”

5) A clause adjustment in response to the use of Mobile phones and the unauthorised recording of meetings:

“Councillors are encouraged to limit any use of mobile phones during council meetings.”

6) Other alterations are generally for minor legislative updates, numbering, or typographical errors.


You can submit your feedback via the submission form below, via email to council@bathurst.nsw.gov.au or in writing to The General Manager, PMB 17, Bathurst NSW 2795.

Submissions must be lodged by close of business on Thursday 14 August 2025.

This Code of Meeting Practice for Bathurst Regional Council is made under Section 360 of the Local Government Act 1993 and the Local Government Regulation 2021. The code applies to all meetings of Council and Council’s committees of which all the members are Councillors.

Council is seeking feedback on proposed alterations to the Code of Meeting Practice. A copy of the code can be downloaded from the document library.


A summary of proposed alterations, for which Council is seeking community feedback, is as follows:

1) That the Policy Meeting (clause 3) be removed from the regular schedule of meetings.

2) (a) Public Forum held prior to the Ordinary Meeting will be structured so that speakers at the Public Forum may speak on any topic relevant to Council operations. The forum is to be limited to 1 hour duration, but can be extended at the discretion of the Chairperson.

(b) Consideration has been given to live streaming the Public Forum. The proposal will be subject to further consideration, including legalities, costs and additional research.

(c) Currently speakers are allowed five minutes to address Council, with a one-minute warning sound at four minutes. It is proposed this will be altered to a four-minute speaking allowance, with a warning sound at three minutes.

(d) Regarding the Policy Meeting and the General Business section, discussion was held on what mechanisms could be utilised in the future. Inclusion of a session in the Ordinary Meeting has been initially assessed but would appear not to be appropriate. The Business paper Agenda must include details of all matters to be dealt with.

3) With respect to the Order of Business, a new statement of acknowledgement has been proposed. By way of example;

“We honour those who came before us – the First Australians, the settlers and convicts who built its foundations, the generations who shaped our towns and cities, the brave who fought to protect our freedom, and all who now call this country home. As we meet today, we do so in service to our community, and in the spirit of shared responsibility and respect.”

4) That all individual votes be recorded in the minutes of the meeting. The alteration would be at Clause 11 and would read as;

“All voting at Council meetings, (including meetings that are closed to the public), must be recorded in the minutes of meetings with the names of Councillors who voted for and against each motion or amendment (including the use of the casting vote), being recorded.”

5) A clause adjustment in response to the use of Mobile phones and the unauthorised recording of meetings:

“Councillors are encouraged to limit any use of mobile phones during council meetings.”

6) Other alterations are generally for minor legislative updates, numbering, or typographical errors.


You can submit your feedback via the submission form below, via email to council@bathurst.nsw.gov.au or in writing to The General Manager, PMB 17, Bathurst NSW 2795.

Submissions must be lodged by close of business on Thursday 14 August 2025.

Page last updated: 22 Jul 2025, 12:44 PM